Pressure container for water softeners and the like



William Qheafh INVENTOR.

fl gm K ATTORNEY.

W. C. HEATH PRESSURE CONTAINER FOR WATER SOFTENERS AND THE LIKE Flled Aprll 18 1945 Nov. 28, 1950 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 PRESSURE CONTAINER FOR WATER SOFTENERS AND THE LIKE William 0. Heath, Milwaukee,'Wis., assignor to A. 0. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of New York Application April 18, 1945, Serial No. 589,058

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a pressure container for water softeners and the like adapted to be used for homes and to be subjected to a limited amount of handling due to periodic replacement for regeneration of the softener.

Oneof the objects of the invention is to provide a lighter weight and less costly container for the purposes indicated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insulated casing for the container that prevents sweating on the outside and that is sufficiently stiff to withstand the handling to which the container is subjected.

Another object is to provide a ceramicenamel lined container and to protect the lining against injury during handling.

Other objects and advantages of the invention appear in the following description of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a container with a part broken away at one end and sectioned to show the construction;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Figure l; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section showing the end joint construction.

The container is adapted to withstand the internal water pressure present in the ordinary domestic or city water supply system, and comprises an inner, generally cylindrical, shell I, end heads 2 and 3 therefor, and the outer sheath or casing 4.

The shell I is constructed from sheet metal of suitable thickness rolled or formed into a cylinder and welded at its meeting edges along a longitudinal seam 5. The ends 6 of the shell I are flared outwardly for a substantial distance, as by an expanding mandrel successively applied thereto after seam is welded.

The end heads 2 and 3 are constructed alike with the exception that the upper head 2 has a formed fiat spot I centrally thereof and in which the spud openings 8 and 9 are provided for making suitable pipe connections to the tank. The heads 2 and 3 are of curved dome-like construction with a reverse bend forming a substantial outwardly flared flange-like skirt l6 around the periphery of each head. The flare of skirt ii) should correspond to that of shell end 6 and should adapt the head for seating within an end 6 of the shell.

Where the shell I and heads 2 are of a metal requiring protection from corrosion they are pref erably lined with ceramic enamel II prior to assembly. The heads 2 and 3' should be constructed of substantially thicker stock than shell I in order to withstand the internal fluid pressure without deformation at the knuckle radiu of the reverse bend, which would tend to cause crazing of the enamel and possible failure of the lining.

The heads 2 and 3 are assembled within the corresponding ends of shell I and welded thereto by are weld deposits I2 extending circumferentially around the corresponding skirts ill at the respective end edges of shell I. The tank thus provided is sealed against internal water pressure and, if desired, the welds I2 may be protected against corrosion from circulation of water thereto by a suitable gasket [3 disposed between the skirt 8 of each head and the corresponding end 6 of the shell.

The outer casing 4 is of very thin sheet metal and is rolled or otherwise formed to a cylinder having a diameter approximating the maximum diameter for the ends of the tank as represented by the peripheral end edges of the shell l and a length greater than that of the tank. The longitudinal seam I4 in casing 4 may be either welded or crimped, and the casing is secured in. place by having its ends crimped over the peripheral edges of the corresponding welds I2 and preferably welded to the respective skirt I0.

The gasket I5 may be disposed over the welds 12 before the casing 4 1s welded or crimped into place. The gasket I5 prevents injury to the casing at the crimping area and in addition seals the joint against any passage of fluid therethrough to the area between the casing l and shell I. The gasket I 5 is of any pliable waterproof non-corrosive material.

The casing is supported against deformation in handling by heat insulating material IE5, such as mica, diatomaceous earth or the like, packed in the radial space between the body of shell I and the casing. The material it should be of a character which greatly stiifens the structure and which prevents injury to the casing 4 and at the same time cushions any external blow that might be transmitted to shell I, to thereby prevent possible injury to the lining I I. The material !5 should also retard heat transfer so that sweating of the casing t on the outside is prevented where cold water is running through the tank.

Where material It is not employed, the air space between theinner shell I and easing 4 should contain a moisture absorbent such as silica gel to prevent rusting of the metal walls of the container.

The casing 4 is placed under longitudinal tension when applied to the tank, which residual tension will tend to support the casing against deformation as well as assisting slightly in carrying the internal fluid pressure load of the shell I.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the accompanying claims. I

I claim:

1. A container of the class described, comprising a generally cylindrical shell with end portions gradually flaring outwardly from the body of the shell, heads closing the respective ends of the shell and welded thereto to provide a tank adapted to withstand internal fluid pressure, a thin wall cylindrical metal casing surrounding the shell of said tank and of a diameter corresponding to that of the outer end of the flared portions of said tank to provide a longitudinal space therebetween, insulation disposed in said space, and the ends of said metal casing being crimped over the corresponding tank ends in a manner to secure the casing in place and residually tension the casing longitudinally thereof upon the tank to resist deformation.

2. A container of the class described, comprising a generally cylindrical shell with end portions gradually flaring outwardly from the body of the shell, heads closing the respective ends of the shell and welded thereto to provide a tank adapted to withstand internal fluid pressure, a thin wall cylindrical metal casing surrounding the shell of said tank and of a diameter corresponding to that of the outer end of the flared portions of said tank to provide a longitudinal space therebetween, insulation disposed in said space, the ends of said metal casing being crimped over the corresponding tank ends in a manner to secure the casing in place and residually tension the casing longitudinally thereof upon the tank to resist deformation, and a pliable waterproof non-oorrosive gasket interposed between the crimped end of the casing and the tank to prevent injury to the casing at the crimping area and to additionally seal the joint between the casing and tank against passage of fluid.

WILLIAM C. HEATH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT Number Name Date 816,558 Coffin Apr. 3, 1906 1,755,176 Feldmeier Apr, 22, 1930 1,800,082 Knigge Apr. 7, 1931 1,859,632 Pheterplace May 24, 1932 1,940,277 Stresau Dec. 19, 1933 2,043,183 Mauser June 2, 1936 2,080,326 Maddock May 11, 1937 2,161,155 Gettleman June 6, 1939 2,263,021 Uecker Nov. 18, 1941 2,316,437 Kercher Apr. 13, 1943 2,341,740 Penney Feb. 15, 1944 2,361,635 Koppel Oct. 31, 1944 

